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Royal School Manchester pupils were delighted by a recent visit from the Whitworth, as pieces from the museum were brought into the classroom. Pupils were able to get up-close and personal with each exhibit - the dinosaur foot pictured above proved to be hugely popular!

We are proud to announce the arrival of our latest member of staff - with a difference! Josh is dedicated, hard-working, a great communicator... and a dog!

Josh is currently working as a buddy dog to support RCM students develop their communication and interaction skills, confidence and self-esteem. He is already a very popular and valuable member of our Seashell community and an absolute delight to work with for both staff and students.

If things have seemed a little quiet lately, it's because lots of our students have been out of college on a week-long outdoor activity programme at the Bendrigg Trust. Each year, a number of college students participate in a range of accessible outdoor activities including canoeing, team building exercises and caving (pictured above), including visits to wheelchair accessible caverns to ensure that all our young people can enjoy unique opportunities to explore the natural world.

[Pictured: Johnny, a current college student, on his work experience at a local farm.]

In our last blog post, we discussed the importance of work experience and supported internships for our young people looking to enter work. Today, we take a look at two students with autism who left the college and wanted to find work.

Many of the young people at Seashell aim to progress into work at the end of their course and work to develop the skills they need to make valuable contributions into a range of employment opportunities. School students begin Careers lessons in Key Stage 3 and undertake their first work experience placements onsite in Key Stage 4. When appropriate, our college students complete work experience placements in the community.

At Seashell, we believe that all people should be supported to access fun and meaningful sports and leisure activities. As well as the obvious health benefits of exercise, inclusive sport allows young people with autism opportunities to train with and compete against their peers, share social experiences with others, develop new strategies to meet sensory needs, work on personal care skills in practical real-world contexts and extend their communication strategies.

School and college may be closed for half-term holidays but it’s all go at Seashell – over the past week, children and young people have taken part in dance, sports, multi-sensory theatre projects and days out.

[Pictured: Royal College Manchester students leading the sensory dragon dance as part of their Chinese New Year celebrations]

Mid-February may not be the traditional time for making New Year’s Resolutions but at Seashell, staff and students still have planned festivities to come as we explore a range of festivals. As educators, we have a vital role in ensuring that all the children and young people learn about new concepts and experiences and are also able to practice their individual beliefs, traditions and values.